University Education Outside of Campus to be Included in Official Academic System

The Higher Education Council has implemented a historic regulation. From now on, knowledge, skills, and certificates acquired outside of university will be included in the official academic system. With the new regulation, activities acquired by students outside of campus can be recognized according to certain criteria, converted into ECTS credits in line with European standards, and included in transcripts and diploma supplements. The application will start next year. YÖK President Erol Özvar stated, 'Our higher education system is now evolving into a competence-oriented structure. With micro-credentials, our students and graduates will be able to acquire the skills they need more quickly and respond more strongly to the expectations of a changing world.' Calling on students to take advantage of learning opportunities outside of the curriculum, Özvar said, 'We see this step as one of the most important steps in moving higher education from a diploma-oriented structure to a competence-oriented structure.' With the new regulation, students will be able to complete up to 10% of the total ECTS load required for graduation with credits obtained from micro-credentials. University senates will decide which educations will be recognized.